Thanksgiving is all about delicious food, family, and spending time with the ones we love—including our dogs! If your pups are anything like Turbo and Nova, they probably want to know what smells so good in the kitchen.
Instead of sharing rich holiday desserts or seasoned Thanksgiving dishes, why not make your dog a special homemade treat?
These homemade Thanksgiving dog treats use simple ingredients like plain pumpkin and cooked sweet potato. The recipes are easy to prepare, can be made in small portions, and are perfect for giving your pup a little holiday love without sharing unsafe table scraps.
Whether you have a big German Shepherd or a smaller companion, remember that every dog has different dietary needs. Keep treats small, introduce new ingredients gradually, and check with your veterinarian if your dog has food allergies, diabetes, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal issues, or a prescription diet.
What Ingredients Are Safe for Homemade Thanksgiving Dog Treats?
Before you start baking, stock your kitchen with simple, dog-appropriate ingredients.
- Plain pumpkin puree: Choose 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which may contain added sugar and spices.
- Sweet potato: Cook it thoroughly and serve it plain, without butter, salt, sugar, or seasoning.
- Oat flour: Plain oat flour can be a useful baking ingredient for many dogs.
- Eggs: Fully cooked eggs can provide protein for dogs that tolerate them.
- Plain, unsweetened yogurt: Optional for dogs that tolerate dairy. Avoid sweetened or flavored varieties, especially products containing xylitol.
- Water: Add small amounts to adjust the consistency of your recipes.
Avoid adding nutmeg, chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, alcohol, or excessive salt and sugar. Never use xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs and may appear in some peanut butters and other products.
When in doubt, check every ingredient label before cooking.
1. Easy Pumpkin and Oat Dog Treats
These simple pumpkin dog biscuits are a great starting point if you want to bake something special for Thanksgiving. They use a short ingredient list and can be cut into small shapes that suit your dog’s size.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Mix the pumpkin puree, oat flour, and egg in a bowl until a soft dough forms.
- If the dough is too sticky, add a little more oat flour. If it is too dry, add a small amount of water.
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface and cut it into small shapes.
- Place the treats on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, until the treats are set and cooked through. Larger or thicker treats may need additional time.
- Cool completely before serving.
Portion guidance: Start with one small bite-sized treat and see how your dog tolerates it. For a large dog, you can offer a slightly larger biscuit, but keep the total treat calories in mind.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days, or freeze portions for longer storage. Discard treats that develop mold, an unusual smell, or other signs of spoilage.
2. Two-Ingredient Sweet Potato Dog Treats
Sweet potatoes can make a simple, naturally flavorful treat for dogs that tolerate them. This recipe skips added sugar, butter, and seasoning.
Ingredients
- 1 medium sweet potato
- A little water, if needed
Instructions
- Wash the sweet potato and cook it until completely soft, either by baking or steaming.
- Remove the skin and mash the flesh thoroughly.
- Let the mash cool completely.
- Serve a small amount as a soft treat, or spoon it into silicone treat molds.
- Refrigerate or freeze the molded portions until ready to use.
For a firmer baked version, spread small spoonfuls of mashed sweet potato on a lined baking sheet and bake at 300°F until the edges dry and the portions hold together. Cooking time will vary with thickness. Cool completely before serving.
Portion guidance: Begin with about 1 teaspoon for a small dog or 1–2 teaspoons for a medium or large dog. These are conservative starting portions, not universal serving limits. Reduce the amount if your dog has a sensitive stomach or needs calorie restriction.
Important: Sweet potato should be fully cooked and served plain. Do not add butter, brown sugar, marshmallows, cinnamon blends, or other holiday toppings.
3. Frozen Pumpkin and Yogurt Bites
Want a treat that doesn’t require baking? These frozen bites are easy to portion and prepare ahead of the holiday.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt that your dog tolerates
Instructions
- Mix the pumpkin and yogurt until smooth.
- Spoon small amounts into a silicone dog treat mold or ice cube tray.
- Freeze until solid.
- Remove one small portion at a time and allow it to soften slightly if it is too hard for your dog to chew comfortably.
Portion guidance: Offer one mini bite initially. Larger frozen cubes should be divided into smaller portions appropriate for your dog.
Safety note: Some dogs don’t tolerate dairy well. Skip the yogurt if it causes digestive upset, and choose a simple alternative your veterinarian considers appropriate. Always check that yogurt contains no xylitol or other unsafe additions.
Supervise your dog while eating frozen treats, especially if your pup tends to gulp food or chew hard objects.
4. Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Mini Bites
Can’t decide between pumpkin and sweet potato? Combine them for a soft, simple treat.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup plain pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato
- 1/2 cup oat flour, plus a little extra if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Mix the pumpkin and mashed sweet potato in a bowl.
- Stir in the oat flour until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into very small balls or press it into mini silicone molds.
- Place on a lined baking sheet and flatten slightly if making balls.
- Bake for approximately 20–30 minutes, checking that the bites are cooked through and firm enough to handle.
- Cool completely before serving.
Portion guidance: Start with one mini bite. If your dog tolerates it well, you can occasionally offer another small piece while staying within your dog’s daily treat allowance.
These treats are intended as occasional snacks, not as a replacement for a complete and balanced dog food.
Helpful Supplies for Making Homemade Dog Treats
You don’t need a fancy kitchen to make dog treats, but a few simple tools can make the process easier.
Silicone Dog Treat Molds
Silicone molds make it easy to create uniform mini biscuits, frozen pumpkin bites, and small sweet potato portions. Choose food-grade molds and a size suitable for your dog.
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Baking Mats
A reusable baking mat can help keep treats from sticking and make cleanup easier. Use a mat rated for your oven temperature and follow its care instructions.
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Airtight Dog Treat Jars
Once your treats have cooled completely, an airtight container helps keep them organized and protected. For moist homemade treats, refrigeration is still important—an airtight jar does not make them shelf-stable.
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Dog Food Storage Containers
If you make treats regularly, keeping ingredients and your dog’s everyday food organized can make meal prep simpler. Store kibble according to the manufacturer’s instructions and keep it separate from homemade treats and human food.
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Pet Food Toppers
A dog-appropriate food topper can be another way to make your dog’s regular meal feel special. Choose a product formulated for dogs, check the ingredients, and introduce it gradually. Avoid toppers with unsafe seasonings or ingredients your dog cannot tolerate.
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How Many Homemade Treats Can Dogs Have?
Even dog-friendly ingredients can cause problems when served in excessive amounts. Pumpkin and sweet potato contain fiber, and too much may lead to gas, loose stools, or digestive discomfort.
A few practical guidelines:
- Keep treats small. Tiny bites are often enough for training or holiday rewards.
- Follow the 10% rule. Treats and extras should generally make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, with the remaining calories coming from a complete and balanced diet.
- Introduce one new recipe at a time. This makes it easier to spot ingredients that cause a reaction.
- Consider your dog’s health. Dogs with diabetes, pancreatitis, food allergies, obesity, or prescription diets may need different ingredients and portions.
- Don’t let guests feed treats freely. Set aside your dog’s daily allowance so everyone knows what is appropriate.
If your dog has a medical condition or is on a therapeutic diet, check with your veterinarian before adding homemade treats.
Thanksgiving Treat Safety: Ingredients to Avoid
Homemade does not automatically mean safe. Never include:
- Xylitol: A sweetener that can cause dangerous low blood sugar and liver injury in dogs.
- Chocolate and cocoa: Toxic to dogs.
- Grapes and raisins: Can cause kidney injury.
- Macadamia nuts: Toxic to dogs.
- Nutmeg and heavily spiced baking blends: Avoid these in dog treats.
- Onion and garlic: Unsafe ingredients commonly found in savory holiday recipes.
- Alcohol and raw yeast dough: Both can be dangerous.
- Excessive butter, oil, salt, and sugar: These add unnecessary calories and may cause digestive problems.
Never use pumpkin pie filling as a substitute for plain pumpkin puree. Read labels carefully, especially on peanut butter, yogurt, and commercial toppers.
If your dog eats a potentially toxic ingredient, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service promptly. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear, and don’t induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional instructs you to do so.
Make Thanksgiving Special for Your Dog
Your dog doesn’t need a plate of Thanksgiving leftovers to feel included. A few small homemade treats, a little enrichment, and time with their favorite people can make the holiday special.
Try one of these pumpkin or sweet potato recipes, prepare a few portions ahead of time, and keep your dog’s normal feeding routine as consistent as possible. With simple ingredients and thoughtful portions, you can give your pup a festive snack without the extra seasoning and rich ingredients found in many holiday dishes.
If you try one of these homemade Thanksgiving dog treats, save this recipe guide for later and share it with another dog parent!
More from Turbo and Nova Tails: Explore our other dog enrichment ideas, helpful dog products, and tips for keeping high-energy dogs happy and safe throughout the holidays.
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